Written by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
Embarking on the journey of applying for a PhD can be daunting and time-consuming. Nonetheless, with the right support, it can transform into a seamless and even exhilarating experience, allowing you to clarify your aspirations and passions. Here’s a rough outline for discovering a PhD that fits your needs, drawn from my own experiences of locating, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Why seek a PhD?
Prior to initiating your PhD search, it’s vital to comprehend your motivations for pursuing one. A PhD represents a significant commitment, and confirming that it aligns with your aspirations and passions is essential. A PhD provides the training necessary to develop as an independent researcher, which is crucial for the career I aspire to have.
In addition to technical training, I was drawn to the research independence and creativity that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science can only flourish if I am engaged in topics that interest me and experiments that I care about, so I opted for a PhD project that genuinely intrigued me. The ability to steer my project in the direction I desire is also a significant advantage for me and ranks among my favorite elements of pursuing a PhD.
As straightforward as it may seem, I recommend creating a pros and cons list regarding undertaking a PhD before you commence your search to verify that it is indeed something you want to pursue – what do you believe a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application procedure
The application procedure typically consists of several steps:
- Searching for a PhD
- Submitting the initial application
- Creating a shortlist
- Interviewing
- Receiving conditional or formal offers
- Deciding on funding
Interviews often center around your reasons for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research experience, and your approach to challenges. To prepare for interviews, I reviewed my application, perused relevant literature, and contemplated my experiences so I could articulate them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project first necessitates understanding what type of research stimulates your interest, what kind of environment you thrive in, and what skills you wish to acquire from the PhD. Here are some resources you can utilize to find your PhD:
- University websites, such as those of Imperial – check specific departmental pages where they display all available PhD opportunities
- Central PhD portals and job boards like FindAPhD
- Research group and supervisor web pages
- Academic networks and suggestions from lecturers or supervisors
- Websites of funding bodies and doctoral training centers
My application process may differ slightly from yours. For my PhD, I received funding from my home country, so I needed to locate a research group working on a project that piqued my interest. To accomplish this, I navigated the Imperial website, found lists of researchers and research groups affiliated with Imperial, read their research descriptions, and delved into their research outputs.
Having already been a Master’s student at Imperial while hunting for PhDs, I also consulted my lecturers about which research groups they believed would be a suitable match for me. I discovered my current project supervisor from a compilation of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The essential approach is to consult EVERYONE and gather as much feedback as possible. I personally know a fellow PhD student who found their project by conversing with a stranger in a pub who introduced them to their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.